Review: Dark Alchemy by Laura Bickle

Dark Alchemy by Laura Bickle

Expected publication: April 28th 2015 by Harper Voyager Impulse

Paperback, 384 pages

Series: Stand-alone

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Heat Rating: Kissing

Source:  I got a copy of this book from the publisher  in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads

Geologist Petra Dee arrives in Wyoming looking for clues to her father's disappearance years before. What she finds instead is Temperance, a dying Western town with a gold rush past and a meth-infested present. But under the town's dust and quiet, an old power is shifting. When bodies start turning up - desiccated and twisted skeletons that Petra can't scientifically explain - her investigations land her in the middle of a covert war between the town's most powerful interests. Petra's father wasn't the only one searching for the alchemical secrets of Temperance, and those still looking are now ready to kill. Armed with nothing but shaky alliances, a pair of antique guns, and a relic she doesn't understand, the only thing Petra knows for sure is that she and her coyote sidekick are going to have to move fast, or die next.

I was always the curious one standing on the outside looking in when it came to Laura Bickle books. I have never read her other series, but have read so many wonderful reviews on it from friends that I have wished for more time in order to read them. When Dark Alchemy was bought to my attention, I decided to finally jump on Bickle's bandwagon and after I was done with it, it left me wanting even more.

Petra Dee is a geologist who arrives in Wymoning looking for any clues in her father's disappearance years before, when she finds herself in Temperance an old Western town with a gold rush past and a possibly meth-infestation. What Petra is about to find out that there is something more underneath the dusty quiet town, especially when bodies start showing up and she finds herself in a middle of something more than she was willing to bargain for.

Great story, rather dark and creepy and I found myself enjoying and hooked from the very first chapter. Petra's character was flawed. She wasn't like most Urban Fantasy lead females that I have been used to and I liked that, it made her seem more human, which is exactly what she was in the book.

The storyline and the concept were both original and fascinating. I found myself immersed in a world that was even more darker and compelling when read in the middle of the night. I liked the stories take on alchemy and how certain people used to obtain certain stages of power, which in turn wasn't always for the good of everyone.

The supporting cast of characters were just as equally interesting. I liked Maria and Frankie, but they left me wanting a little more. I thought Frankie's story was interesting, even if it was talked about briefly in the book.

The idea of the Hanged Man was also part of the creepy factor but I  found myself liking Gabe and wanting to know more about him. If you are looking for romance, this book is not for you. The romance in it was subtle and don't ask for happy endings, which left it refreshing in a way.

The book did leave some holes for me.

I don't think I completely understood what happened to Petra's father?
I did not get why Petra was called the Green Lion. I don't think this was covered well.
I wanted to know more about Maria and Frankie. In the end their stuff kind of got faded out.
I wanted to know more about Gabe's story especially after Petra found that old picture of him.
What happened to Cal in the end kind of felt almost like a cliffhanger.

I think this is a stand-alone. If it is, it feels a little bit full of holes. If there are more coming, I hope stuff will be a little bit more explained.